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DC Entertainment took the market share crown in December, narrowly topping Marvel’s share by less than a point, but the joy in Burbank must be tempered by the fact that DC Comic's win is as much a measure of Marvel’s weakness as it is of DC’s strength.

Comics and graphic novel sales to comic stores declined 14.57% in December 2017 vs. December 2016, according to numbers released by Diamond comic Distributors, a weak finish to a weak year. Comic sales were down 16.54%, while graphic novel sales were down 10.17% vs. the year ago period.

DC had six of the top ten comics in December, led by Doomsday Clock and Dark Nights: Metal, DC’s two big Fall publishing programs. Marvel’s top book, Phoenix Resurrection: The Return of Jean Grey #1, was the #3 comic, Marvel’s only title in the Top Five.

Top 10 Comics – December 2017

Doomsday Clock #2

Dark Nights: Metal #4

Phoenix Resurrection: The Return of Jean Grey #1

Batman #36

Batman #37

Batman: White Knight #3

Amazing Spider-Man / Venom: Venom Inc. Alpha #1

Marvel Two-in-One #1

Hawkman Found #1

Amazing Spider-Man #792

The latest volume of Brian K. Vaughan's Saga, from Image Comics, was the top graphic novel in comic stores in December. Only half the slots were taken up by Marvel and DC, with the rest including titles from Image, Dark Horse Comics (Jeff Lemire’s Black Hammer), and Oni Press, whose Rick and Morty is a property on fire.

To 10 Graphic Novels – December 2017

Saga Vol. 8 TP

Batman Vol. 4: The War of Jokes & Riddles TP

Star Wars Vol. 6: Out Among the Stars TP

Batman: Detective Comics Vol. 4: Dues Ex Machina TP

Black Hammer Vol. 2: The Event TP

Justice League Vs. Suicide Squad TP

Shirtless Bear-Fighter TP

Deadly Class Vol. 6 TP

Venomverse TP

Rick and Morty Vol. 6 TP

For our estimates of actual sales by Diamond U.S. from comic specialty stores on comic books shipped during December, see "Top 300 Comics -- December 2017."